Proper Screenplay FormatAll You Need to Know

Okay. Screenplay format. What is it, why do you need it, and how can you master it? Learn more here.

You've finally finished your screenplay. And it's a masterpiece. Well - except for one thing. It kind of looks more like a novel than a screenplay. A messy novel, at that. In short - you've got formatting problems. Don't worry and don't let this intimidate you! Even the most accomplished screenwriters started out knowing nothing of screenplay formatting. Fortunately, it's really easy to learn and even easier to remember.

Before you do anything, start using screenwriting software. It's very likely that you already are, but if you're using a text editor or Word, you're handicapping yourself big time before you've even begun! Screenplay software like Final Draft, Movie Magic or Movie Outline.

Don't have the money to spend on the programs mentioned above? That's not a big deal either. Check out CeltX. It's a great online program that automates the basics of screenplay format. And it's totally free.

The 3 Essentials

There are a few basic rules to follow, which we'll outline in detail below. Once you master these elements of the screenplay format, you'll be off and running...

1) Slug lines

A slug line is simply the line on your screenplay that identifies the LOCATION of the scene. It is always written in all caps (but your software should take care of that for you). Although these pretty much like...lines of slugs, they're actually an integral ingredient in proper screenplay formating.

Every time you change locations in your script, you need a new slug line. The slug line begins broad, and gets more and more specific as you build it.

The first 'word' is either INT. or EXT. This refers to interior and exterior, whether the scene takes place inside or outside. Like we said, slug lines start broad. INT. and EXT. is basically as broad as you can get to start your scene description.

Next, you give a more specific location. For example, if the scene takes place in a bedroom, you would write BEDROOM right next to INT.

So our slug line so far would be...

INT. BEDROOM

Finally, the last ingredient in a proper slug line is the time of day. You can generally stick with DAY or NIGHT, although if it is important to the scene, you can be more specific (DUSK, DAWN and EVENING are all examples of this). So our final log line for a scene that took place inside a bedroom during the day, for instance, would be...

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

2) Characters

Now, what happens below the slugline? You begin your story, of course. And that means introducing CHARACTERS. The first time you introduce a character, use ALL CAPS. Then, every time you refer to them thereafter, capitalize the first letter, but nothing else.

So if your hero is named Edward Blunk, you would introduce him as EDWARD BLUNK. From there on, it's plain old Edward Blunk.

3) Sounds

There is no one way to write sounds in your script and the schools of thought on this vary. In our writing, we like to keep it as simple as possible...When there is a sound, we capitalize it. Not in dialogue, only in action. Here's an example...

"The door closes with a THUD."

Some other techniques use the SFX tag within the body of the script. This stands for "sound effects" and is really there as a cue to the sound department or production team on the script. It's by no means required, and can often slow down your read.

And there you have it. If you've got these three ideas down pat, you should be able to cruise through your screenwriting career without much incident regarding screenplay format.

If you're every writing, and you come across something you're not sure about in your screenplay format, don't worry. Remember this rule of thumb and you'll be fine.

"Get your point across as simply and clearly as possible."

That's it. Even if you don't have perfect formatting, if your language is clear and nothing trips your reader up, you're set. That is always the main goal - get your point across. If you can do that without causing confusion, then your screenplay format can't leave much to be desired. And remember - even though this stuff can seem overwhelming, it's completely learnable. After you learn it, you'll have streamlined, easy-to-read screenplays, and all your readers will thank you for it.